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Why Is My Hair Falling Out? Alopecia Explained
Š MikeSaran via Canva.com Hair is often considered a symbol of identity and self-expression, from scalps and eyebrows to beards and bodies. But what happens when this symbol starts to fall out? The 6.7 million people across the country living with alopecia know this feeling all too well. Alopecia, or hair loss, is a medical condition with variable causes, presentations and treatments. Experts at Renown Health dive into the world of alopecia, its causes and how to address it â especially as we embrace National Alopecia Awareness Month this September.  Types of Alopecia The term âalopeciaâ is a broad umbrella term that encompasses many different forms of hair loss that can present itself at any age, no matter your gender or ethnicity. The most common types include: Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder where the immune system targets hair follicles, typically resulting in patches of hair loss on the scalp and/or other body parts. More severe forms of alopecia areata also exist, such as alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. Androgenetic (or Androgenic) Alopecia: A disorder also known as male or female pattern baldness that causes gradual hair thinning and loss often around the temples and crown. Unlike alopecia areata, this form of alopecia is usually hereditary. Telogen Effluvium: A condition resulting in hair shedding, typically after high-stress or infectious events, such as after giving birth or after a COVID-19 infection. This usually resolves itself within a few months to a year. Traction Alopecia: Hair loss resulting from the effects of tight braiding or styling of the hair, which can cause permanent loss over time. Scarring and Inflammation-Mediated Hair Loss: Patterns of hair loss related to lupus, lichen planus or other autoimmune conditions that can unfortunately be permanent and progressive. Options to Treat Alopecia While there isnât a cure for most types of alopecia, some treatments are available to help minimize the effects of the condition and promote hair growth. Treatment varies depending on the type of alopecia. Potential options can include: Topical Minoxidil: An FDA-approved over-the-counter medication available in foam or liquid form and applied directly to the scalp, which helps stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles. Hormone Therapies: A hormone regimen that can help minimize the resulting hair thinning and balding. Corticosteroids: A topical cream or ointment â or an injection for severe cases â that help reduce inflammation and re-grow hair. Low-Level Laser Therapy: A therapeutic, non-invasive intervention involving wearing special caps or combs that release painless, low-level lasers to stimulate hair follicles. Healthy Diets and Nutritional Supplements: A diet rich in vitamins and minerals essential for hair health, such as biotin and collagen, can aid in recovery. Vitamin D and iron are also important hair growth nutrients. Stress Management: Stress can impact the speed and frequency of hair loss. Managing your stress can help mitigate the effects of alopecia. Treatment for alopecia is not a one-size-fits-all approach. A scalp skin biopsy may help determine a cause for hair loss and help guide the best management strategies with your provider. Addressing the Emotional Impacts Even though alopecia isnât life-threatening, the impacts of the condition can affect your self-esteem and self-image. The most powerful tool to help you manage alopecia is knowledge. Keeping yourself educated about your condition, and encouraging your loved ones to do the same, can help arm yourself with the acceptance and self-compassion you need and help combat misconceptions. With the rise in awareness in the mainstream media for alopecia and other hair conditions, beauty standards and fashion are shifting to become more inclusive for those experiencing hair loss. Celebrating the many diverse hairstyles and fashion statements can help you regain your confidence. There are many options you can advantage of to help style your hair and protect your scalp: Hairpieces: Wigs, extensions and other hairpieces can help cover up balding or thinning patches and add volume to your hair. Hairpieces have come a long way in the past few decades, and many use real human hair. Hats: Hats serve a dual purpose â a fun fashion accessory to help boost your confidence and a method of protecting your scalp from the sun. As someone with alopecia, your scalp is more exposed, and hats can provide that extra layer of protection you need. Scalp Sunscreens: While regular body sunscreens can provide good scalp sun protection, they can result in oily scalp and hair appearance. Sunscreens that are specifically designed for the scalp are available at most beauty stores or online. Remember, patience is fundamental, as many treatments require consistent use over time to see noticeable results. Stay resilient, and donât give up â you are not alone in your alopecia journey.
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Department Spotlight: Patient Access
Health systems across the country recently celebrated Patient Access Week from April 2-8. Join us in recognizing our Patient Access team at Renown! Fighting the Good Fight starts the moment a patient steps onto the grounds of our health system. When patients visit Renown on their healthcare journey, they look to the experts to not only help them navigate through the complexities of the process but also ensure their experience with us starts off on the right foot. Renown Healthâs Patient Access Representatives (also referred to as âPARsâ) are the faces of this entire process. As the key links between patients, providers and insurers, they strive to create a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone. PARs are committed to providing all of Renownâs patients access to the quality care when needed. After all, itâs in their name! A Friendly Face PARs are the front faces of almost all clinical areas at Renown. As the starting point for much of the patient experience, the day-in-the-life of PARs can vary. Checking patients in and out, getting demographic information, verifying insurance, answering phone calls, fostering communication between patients and their care teams, scheduling patients for follow-ups, explaining financial responsibilities and our financial aid programs, creating an overall positive experience and environment, the list goes on â but they all remain united under one goal: setting patients off on the right foot as they access care through our health system. âEach day, PARs are met with new patients who are seeking solutions to different concerns,â said Macy Betts, PAR for Renown Womenâs Health. âWe are the front doors to this department. We are not just checking patients in and out; we are the first step to the patients receiving the care they deserve.â âWe take pride in our work,â added Tanya Quintanilla, Shari Longley and Nancy Arroyo Garcia, PARs for Renown Pediatrics. âUsually, we are the first point of contact within Renown, so we donât take our role lightly. For example, when we see a newborn, we must ensure the registration has been verified, which consists of patient demographics, patient preferences and insurance verification. We need to be consistent and thorough because what we do affects every point of contact a patient may have within Renown.â âAs my teamâs senior PAR, my day begins with gathering the outpatient therapy work queue numbers and assigning the team to work them,â added Logan Johnson, Senior PAR in Pre-Registration at Renown. âOur goal is to contact and schedule patients for physical, occupational and/or speech therapy as soon as possible so that they have the maximum benefit and can get back to a normal life as quickly as possible. Our encounters can make or break the entire experience.â PARs never underestimate the power of good communication and compassion. Even during the busiest of times, our PARs work diligently to ensure all patients and their care teams fully understand the administrative side of whichever part of their journey they are about to embark on, lending a helping hand and a smile. âWhether youâre communicating with patients, leaders or coworkers, communication is key,â said Jonathan Figueroa, PAR for the Renown Institute for Heart & Vascular Health (IHVH). âWe try and make sure that we do everything possible to make their visit go as smoothly as possible.â âCommunication makes the world go round,â added Keith Madrona, Sherry Riley, Erika Rios and Andie Kilpatrick, PARs at Renown Urgent Care â Ryland. âHaving a friendly attitude and demeanor is very important. âThe PARs in Labor & Delivery do so much more than just registering patients â from escorting expectant parents to their rooms, welcoming newborn babies, processing pre-estimates and more â and the patience and excellent communication I receive from other teams is what keeps me going,â added Nanci Barash-Vietti, PAR for Renown Labor & Delivery (L&D). âThis is critical to the success and effectiveness of the PARs in our department.â Shift changes for PARs mimic other teams at Renown, leveraging technology and both written and spoken communication to ensure the next shift begins successfully. "When I come in, the night shift will give me a report on what is going on and what the schedule looks like during the day; then I log in to my computer and get everything that I will need for that day up on the screen,â said Allie Boracchia, PAR for Renown L&D. âUsually around this time we have a 7-8 a.m. induction scheduled for the first patient, so I will grab the pre-made packet that the night shift put together, the unit clerk will call the nurse to get a room number, and I take the patient to the room and have them sign all the forms. After the patient has the baby, then we admit them and finish registration. This is continuous all day long.â Our PARs all agree that regardless of the setting, whether it be emergent or routine, every patient is looking for that advocate from the moment they enter through our doors. âBeing friendly, patient and understanding is a must,â said Sheryl Lundgren, PAR for the William N. Pennington Institute for Cancer. âIt is so nice being able to brighten the days of patients who are living with a cancer diagnosis.â âIn the urgent care setting, a lot of the patients we see are not feeling their best, so it is important that we show them we care and are here to help make check in go smoothly,â added Sam Deithrich, PAR at the Renown Urgent Care â Los Altos.  âPatients are relieved that they are speaking to a real person that will help set up appointments,â added Rick Jordan and Celeste Landry, PARs in Lab Services at Renown South Meadows.  PARs embrace lifelong learning at Renown, especially as their roles differ day-to-day. They are always ready to jump in and assist on tasks that might be new for them, growing their skills on the job and never hesitating to say, âHow can I help?â âAs a PAR, you are always learning new things, even when it seems like you know just about everything,â said Liz Cardenas-Ramos, PAR for Renown Endocrinology. âItâs been such a positive experience.â âGiving yourself grace to learn and grow in Patient Access is the key,â said Maggie Savoie, PAR for Renown Primary Care â Fernley. âI find myself learning every day at Renown, and if youâre learning, youâre growing. Being able to take a breath and say, âthis is a learning opportunity for me, and tomorrow I will be better a better PAR because Iâve gained this knowledgeâ is an amazing way to stay positive in the position.â âIn L&D, we are all multi-tasking, and every day I am learning something new about my department and patients, as well as how to excel in my position,â added Nanci Barash-Vietti. Renown PARs are the front lines to health care access, and they wear that badge with pride. Jeanette Flores, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown South Meadows, sums up the role of Patient Access well: âTalk about first impressions!â âI am proud of our team and the excellent care we give our patients,â said Dawn Linker, PAR for the Renown IHVH. âWe want them to have a good experience.â Impactful Accomplishments The role of our Patient Access team members goes beyond the desk. A patientâs healthcare journey begins, and sometimes even ends, with the helping hands of our PARs, leaving a lasting positive impression of Renown. "Our interactions with the patients make a difference before they see the provider, so we always demonstrate a welcoming and helpful atmosphere for the patients to feel like their needs are being met,â said Mary Dettling, PAR for Renown Endocrinology. âI love seeing the difference we make in peoplesâ lives,â added Shannon Leone, PAR for the Stacie Mathewson Behavioral Health & Addiction Institute. âWe can get patients at their toughest and worst times. Watching them overcome their fears, traumas and addictions has been very rewarding.â Our PARs donât just make goals for themselves â time and time again, they surpass them, all in the name of patient experience and excellence. âWe have not only met our monthly point-of-sale scores, but we also have exceeded our stretch goal for the last eight months and our scores have been in the 50th percentile or higher,â said Jeanette Flores. âAlong with being the top point-of-sale collectors, we have also been known to be some of the sweetest and most helpful staff at South Meadows,â said Katie Morrill, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown South Meadows. As their teams grow, so does their impact on our patients. PARs are dedicated to providing the best customer service possible, and with their expanding teams, that service goes even further, even throughout the pandemic. âA year ago, we only had one PAR; now, we have a full and amazing team,â said Alex Bucholz, PAR for Renown Advanced Wound Care. âWe have come so far in a short amount of time.â "During the pandemic, we have maintained a core group of individuals who come in every day and help keep this office and all its parts moving smoothly,â added Shannon Leone. âWe have maintained a full patient load the last three years and never had to close our office for any reason. We have even had the opportunity to start our Medicated Assisted Treatment and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation programs.â "We successfully operated and maintained our pediatric COVID clinic, which is the only one within our five clinics,â added Tanya Quintanilla, Shari Longley and Nancy Arroyo Garcia. âWe feel proud knowing our tiny humans are protected with the COVID vaccine.â Like many other teams at Renown, our PARs are masters at teamwork. Despite any obstacles that may happen along the way, they are always there for each other to ensure every patient gets the care and attention they deserve. âWe call ourselves the âA-Teamâ here in Pulmonary,â said Shannon Birnberg, PAR for Renown Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine. âWe have persevered through changes, additions and departures. We are most proud of bringing different personalities to the team and being super strong and effective.â âI have noticed the team always steps up whenever needed,â added Brittany Hughes, PAR for the Renown IHVH. âEveryone has a great attitude and is very positive!â âWhile our team is fairly new, we are growing together, learning our strengths and weaknesses and always pushing for stronger unity,â added Angel Freer, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown Regional. When our PARs find ways to simplify a process or make a workflow run more efficiently, they donât waste any time in making that happen. They take any opportunity to enhance patient experience. âOur team came up with a solution on how to get patients registered faster,â said Jess Castillo-Marquez, PAR in Lab Services at Renown Regional. âWe came up with modalities which assign each PAR their own procedure in which they will be registering for during their scheduled shift. It has been a great success, helping our productivity and keeping our patients satisfied with our service.â âWe are proud of our successful implementation of our new therapy workflow,â added Logan Johnson. âPatients are now waiting much less to be contacted about their care.â Our PARs know that teamwork makes the dream work, and their commitment to the patients they serve â and the goals they continue to blow out of the water â continue to inspire them daily.  âYou are only as strong as your team,â said Aundie Yonker, PAR in the Emergency Department at Renown Regional.
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Department Spotlight: Acute Care Rehab Therapy
Being admitted to the hospital is never easy. Being admitted for a traumatic injury can be even harder. Whether it's learning how to walk again or powering through a new speech therapy routine, recovering from an injury that may affect the course of your life can be daunting. But it doesnât have to be, thanks to the Acute Care Rehab Therapy team at Renown Health. The smiling faces of the Acute Care Rehab Therapy team at both Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center will make you see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your dedicated physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists are here to serve you and place you back on the right path to recovery and function. The Role of Acute Inpatient Therapy The Acute Care Rehab Therapy team comes in at a critical juncture in a patientâs care process after hospital admission. As one of the primary rehabilitation partners on a care team, these dedicated therapists are here to maximize every patientâs safe and independent living before they set off back home â all while reducing the risk of hospital readmission. âAs physical therapists, we address musculoskeletal deficits and assess a patientâs current function after acute injury or illness from their baseline and develop a plan for functional recovery,â said Kristie Eide-Hughes, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. âWe also use our clinical expertise to assist with the discharge process and make sure each patient has the best durable medical equipment the first time around, removing the guesswork.â  âOn the occupational therapy side, we work with patients to facilitate their independence with basic life skills, such as dressing, bathing and using the restroom,â added Jeanne Clinesmith, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. âIn the pediatric setting, we help babies and kids get back to what they were doing before they came into the hospital,â continued Rhonda Yeager, Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. âIn the NICU specifically, we support the development of babies, trying to prevent problems from worsening. Itâs nice to be a source of positivity in an otherwise intimidating situation.â The role of therapy in this setting reaches all ages, from babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to adults approaching end-of-life care. Every therapeutic approach is tailored specifically to each patient. âTherapy is more of a habilitative approach for infants in the NICU, while it is more of a rehabilitative approach for kids and adults following injury or illness,â said Sara Carolla, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional.  Each team member in the Acute Care Rehab Therapy department is dedicated to each patient, helping them make progress from start to finish and giving them the tools to succeed along the way. âI enjoy the variety of the patients we get to see and the ability to see them make gains from the wonderful treatment they get in the hospital from my team,â said Kelly Schwarz, Occupational Therapist at Renown South Meadows. âWe provide education as each patientâs acute issues evolve,â added Nicole Leeton, Speech Language Pathologist at Renown Regional. âOne of my favorite parts of my work is the patient and family education aspect, and that includes other healthcare provider education as well. Itâs a moving picture.â Moreover, every team member gives each patient tools to learn how to be themselves again and empowers them to continue striving for the best possible result of their therapy âWe get the opportunity to make a personâs bad experience in life better even by spending one session with them, giving them the keys to unlock something that they didnât think they had the ability to do,â said Dana Robinson, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. On the Road to Independence Our dedicated therapists in the Acute Care Rehab Therapy team set the stage for a patientâs recovery process after trauma, showing them their potential for independence. With a multitude of patients coming into the hospital with many degrees of medical complexity, each day is different while the end goal is always the same: to optimize function as early as possible while overcoming any barriers and paving the way for a comfortable and effective quality of life. âEarly intervention is a big piece,â said Nicole Leeton. âUs seeing patients early can get them recovered and independent more quickly and help prevent future illness and injuries. For example, in speech therapy, getting in early and facilitating communication skills for patients with impaired speech can make a huge difference.â Acute Care Rehab therapists dig deeply to see the whole picture of each patientâs situation to foster their independence â their history, social skills, support system and more. âSometimes, we are the difference between independence and dependence,â said Dana Robinson. âWe are the eyes and ears because we have so much time with the patients. Our team is extremely collaborative and develops a great rapport with patients, so they feel comfortable telling us everything going on with them.â âFor kids, we teach parents ways they can help their kids by setting up their homes and the equipment they need to succeed,â added Rhonda Yeager. According to the team, one of the biggest keys to independence is repetition. A continual flow of getting up and trying again is crucial for recovery. âRepetition helps people regain their quality of life back sooner and control their recovery process,â said Megan Hough, Physical Therapist at Renown Health. âHelping people continue to get stronger and more independent makes my job so rewarding,â added Sam Brown, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. Knowing that they have made a difference and help shape a patientâs overall development inspires each therapist to never give up, regardless of how difficult an injury presents. There is no set schedule for recovery, and the therapists are always in the patientâs corner. âThis team has the most passionate, caring and dedicated individuals that I know,â said Kendra Webber, Manager of Acute Inpatient Rehab Therapy Services at Renown Regional. They give 110 percent to every patient every time to ensure they have what they need to regain function and independence.â âBy tailoring therapy to the individual, the bounds are virtually limitless for what we can accomplish,â added Dana Robinson. It Takes a Village Since acute inpatient therapy is never a one-size-fits-all approach, it truly takes a village for this team to move the mountains they do for patients every day. These teams are fact-finding masters, gathering all the necessary information from the patient, their family and their care team to figure out their precise needs. âWe are a consistent presence for our patients, identifying a lot of different needs and meeting those needs to help patients grow in their treatment process,â said Kelly Schwarz. âBy collaborating with each patientâs diverse care team, we are able to employ the clinical judgment to help patients overcome physical, emotional and environmental struggles and set them up with the proper resources once they leave our setting.â âOur team has steady communication with physicians, nurses, acute care technicians, respiratory staff, physician assistants, case managers and more to ensure the best possible care,â added Jet Manzi, Physical Therapist at Renown Regional. Constant communication and collaboration are also necessary beyond the acute treatment process. These skills are vital in order to facilitate discharge planning, and the Acute Care Rehab therapists are an essential resource in the discharge process alongside our Hospital Care Management team. âOften times, a patientâs family needs a lot of guidance in helping their loved ones determine the next level, and we help them navigate those steps and the resources available to them,â said Mark Stumpf, Occupational Therapist at Renown Regional. âAnd itâs all a team effort.â âOur therapists are the most committed, generous, hardworking people,â added Courtney Phillips-Shoda, Supervisor of Rehab Therapy Services at Renown Regional. âDespite being short-staffed, we come to work every single day and give everything to our patients. They are the priority.â If you take away one thing, know this for certain: Renownâs Acute Care Rehab occupational, speech and physical therapists will always be there to help patients continue on a positive trajectory to physical, mental and emotional recovery. âWhether you are a patient or a provider, if there is a problem, never hesitate to reach out to us,â said Nicole Leeton. âWe are always receptive to anyone seeking our help.â With the Acute Care Inpatient Therapy team on their side, a patientâs journey to recovery is only just beginning.
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Meditation: Give Yourself the Gift of Inner Peace
As we enter the holiday season, many of us are beginning to plan and partake in festivities such as shopping, cooking, baking, holiday parties and family gatherings. While the holidays often bring joy and cheer, the hustle and bustle can also lead to fatigue, stress, anxiety and sometimes depression. To avoid holiday burnout, itâs important to find ways to care for yourself mentally and physically. Galen Gorelangton, Renown's Spiritual Center Volunteer, discusses how yoga and meditation can benefit you. What is yoga and meditation? Yoga is defined as performing a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind. As you move through poses that require balance and concentration, you're encouraged to focus less on your busy day and more on the moment. Meditation involves focusing or clearing your mind using a combination of mental and physical techniques. While there are many different types of meditation and yoga practices, they both share similar benefits including: Reduced stress Lower blood pressure Decreased anxiety and depression Increased energy Better sleep Lower inflammation and pain levels Improved strength, balance and flexibility Better focus and concentration And much more!
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Healthy Summer Salads
Reviewed by: Jessica Blauenstein, a Board-Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition and Registered Dietitian at Renown Health. As the temperatures continue to rise around northern Nevada, our farmerâs markets and home gardens are bursting with produce â making this the perfect time to prepare a fresh summer salad for you and your family. American salads have come a long way. No longer must we settle for iceberg lettuce topped with pale tomatoes and store-bought salad dressing. Fresh fruits, exotic vegetables and aromatic herbs are proudly taking up residence as entrees on menus around the globe. These refreshing Pritikin salad recipes are chocked full of phytonutrients â plant compounds that provide a host of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits while supporting the bodyâs natural detoxification process. When it comes to ingredients, freshness counts! Try to use local and unsprayed produce in your salads whenever possible for added nutritional value. Already thinking of ways you can put your own personal touch on these recipes? Andria Herron, dietary educator with Renownâs Healthy Heart Program, encourages you to experiment. âSalads are the perfect recipes to substitute, omit and add in additional ingredients based on your personal preferences,â said Andria.
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Meet Multifaceted Member Don Chang
Renaissance Don  The Sterling Silver Club is honored to have thousands of members whoâve led and continue to lead incredibly vibrant and diverse lives. And weâre absolutely thrilled when those members volunteer to share their stories and experiences so we can all appreciate and learn from them.  This issueâs featured member is no exception. From his love of cooking, travel and music to his drive to learn new languages, take on new hobbies and keep himself active and fit, Don is an aspiring Renaissance man who may already be deserving of the title.  Revolutionary Family Roots  Donâs father, who was born in Beijing, China, earned a masterâs degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and was working on his PhD there on a full scholarship from his home country when the Chinese Communist Revolution occurred. In order to stay in the United States and avoid potentially being thrown into prison by the new communist regime (a fate that befell some of his family members), his father married Donâs mother, who was a U.S. citizen and also a student at Berkeley. Together, they started a family.  âMy father met my mother in a class and received his green card by marrying her,â says Don. âThey proceeded to have six kids in nine years, I was number three. Dad never finished his PhD, but clearly earned what we like to call his âPSKâ degree â Papa with Six Kids.â Proud (of) Papa: Donâs father was a professor of metallurgy and a brilliant research scientist who was responsible for virtually every breakthrough in the development of titanium in the 1960s.
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Healthy Zucchini Manicotti
Often, when we think of Italian dishes, we think of pasta. In fact, there are more than 600 different pasta shapes, each holding the task of delivering Italyâs flavors. While we all crave pasta, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a cup of pasta shells contains about 166 calories, 6 grams of protein and 32 grams of carbohydrates. When you add all the other comforting ingredients that comes with cooking Italian, itâs nearly impossible to keep it healthy. Caitlin Bus, Registered Dietitian with the Renown Healthy Heart Program shares a healthier version of an Italian favorite âdeconstructed manicotti using zucchini as a substitute for noodles. If youâre looking for a healthier Italian dish and wondering how to use a spiralizer to turn vegetables into noodles, this recipe is for you.
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Simply Spectacular Sterling Silver Member Rhogenia
Whether watching a 4th of July celebration from her fatherâs boat on the Saint Johns River or sneaking a peek at a post-game display over Gator Bowl Stadium from her parentsâ bedroom window, the fondest childhood memories of Sterling Silver Club featured member are of fireworks. âI love watching fireworks,â says Rhogenia. âAnd I get just as excited by them now as I did then.â Well, fireworks are certainly a fitting introduction to this Sterling Silver Club member who shines with a spectacular collection of accomplishments, adventures and interests. A Passion for Teaching Rhogenia remembers herself as a happy, carefree child âwho read all the timeâ while growing up in Jacksonville, Florida with her younger sister, Rosemary, and her father and mother, who was a public school teacher. Itâs easy to see how this natural enthusiasm for reading (and learning), along with her motherâs influence, would spark Rhogeniaâs calling â and passion â for teaching. After earning her bachelorâs degree in education, Rhogenia spent the first 2 years of her career as a kindergarten teacher in a âone traffic lightâ town in her home state. She then moved to Oakland, California where she taught kindergarten and first grade classes at various schools for 4 years. The Biggest Little City in the World came next, and her stay there would last much longer. In Reno, Rhogenia added a masterâs degree to her credits and found a home for her teaching career at Grace Warner Elementary School â where she taught first and second grade for 20 years! During that time, she also took on the additional role of adjunct professor, teaching graduate students for the University of Phoenix, College of Education.  âA great teacher never stops learning,â explains Rhogenia. âI believe the art of teaching is the act of facilitating discovery, for students and also for myself.â In recognition of her efforts, Rhogenia received the Reno Gazette Journalâs Best of Education Award, the Washoe County Teachers Association Distinguished Performance Award, and was also awarded a grant from Learn and Serve America to help her support student programs that gave back to the community. Rhogeniaâs favorite quote: âOne hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child.â â Adapted from an essay by Forest Witcraft Commissions, Councils & Space Camp Life outside the classroom also kept Rhogenia busy â and inspired â throughout her career. In 1998, she was selected to participate in an educator externship, and in 1999, was chosen to be a teacher consultant to the Alliance Summer Geography Institute. These opportunities allowed Rhogenia to return to her students with exciting lessons to share about different types of industries and the importance of geography, respectively. In 2002, the governor appointed her commissioner for the state of Nevadaâs Commission on Professional Standards in Education. And Rhogenia followed that up with an appointment to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 2004. She also got to travel. Rhogenia was one of two teachers from Nevada chosen to participate in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher program on its 50th anniversary. Originally established in 1946 to foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan, the trip allowed Rhogenia to represent her state, her country and her race to Japanese dignitaries, business people and students alike. For over three weeks, she toured schools, universities, factories, temples, art galleries and museums, and stayed in the home of a Japanese family for a few days â which she calls the highlight of her trip. Oh, and then there was the time she went to space camp! The Nevada Teacher in Space Program sent Rhogenia to join teachers from across the county at the out-of-this-world camp in Huntsville, Alabama. On âTeam Endeavor,â she learned what it would be like to deliver payloads and perform experiments at the International Space Station, and took a seat in flight simulators and an antigravity chair. The goal of the program was to inspire teachers to help their students learn about the infinite possibilities of math and science. Time for What Matters These days, Rhogenia enjoys spending time on the things that matter most to her. Personally, that means diving into hobbies like genealogy, music, reading, writing, cooking and the occasional card or board game. She also continues to learn and broaden herself through Osher Life Long Institute (OLLI) classes and Retired Living Truth Series seminars. But her greatest joy comes from spending time with family â four generations of her own family, her church family, retired teachers from Warner Elementary and the many acquaintances and friends sheâs come to know over the years. Other things worthy of Rhogeniaâs time: Giving back to the community, rainbows, sunsets and sometimes, just watching the clouds roll by. Membership & Senior-ship What does Rhogenia think about being a Sterling Silver Club member and a senior? She told us. âBefore COVID, it was the face-to-face club events that I liked most,â recalls Rhogenia. âAt the Silver Stars Gala, I had such a wonderful time chatting with old and new friends⌠the fashions, decorations and the food were delightful.â Over the past year, she also found things to love about the clubâs virtual events and regularly attends lectures, cooking and yoga classes and weekly meditation sessions â from her home! It Starts with Hello offers some of her favorite club events. âIt reminds me of the television show, Cheers, where everybody knows your name!â she grins. âWe meet at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are a variety of topics and guest speakers, and with the virtual events, I feel like the presenters are talking directly to me⌠I have the best seat in the house.â As far as being a senior goes, Rhogenia is living her best life and has some advice to help others do the same. âAs a senior, I have the time to explore and take advantage of the many opportunities available out there,â she says. âI live life in the present and to the fullest. I make the most of each day because tomorrow, it will be the past.â Rhogenia feels that the biggest challenges for seniors today are health and isolation, and wants people to know thereâs help if they need it. âSometimes we need a little help to make everyday activities a little easier, or just need a person to talk with,â she explains. âMy advice is never be too proud to ask for help with anything! Most people are glad to help or guide you to someone who will.â âLastly, to seniors, I would like to say this: Love yourself and make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time,â Rhogenia continues. âAnd give yourself a big hug!â The Sterling Silver Club thanks Rhogenia for dazzling us with her story, her friendship and her collaboration â and we send her and all of our members a âBIG hug.â
Read More About Simply Spectacular Sterling Silver Member Rhogenia
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Powerlifting through MS Diagnosis
When Tabitha Cox received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), she was in shock, denial and felt that she was too strong for something like this to be happening to her. As the disease progressed, Tabitha realized she needed to do what she could to stay as healthy as possible. âI heard, âYou have a quarter-size lesion on your brain,'â recalls Tabitha Cox. âAt that moment, that was literally all I heard come out of her mouth.â Tabithaâs official diagnosis was multiple sclerosis (MS), an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that slowly debilitated her mom. âI was numb,â says Tabitha. After her diagnosis, Tabitha went on with her life as if the disease was nothing more than a doctorâs diagnosis. However two years later, Tabitha realized something wasnât right and sought care at Renown Institute for Neurosciences â Brain and Nerve Care. Her form of MS was aggressive, and her doctor recommended treatment right away.